Take This Hidden Gems Road Trip When You Want To See Some Little-Known Places In Arizona
We recently covered some of the best hidden gems in Arizona, so why not turn some of them into a road trip? This 7.5-hour journey leads to secret waterfalls, remote dinosaur tracks, and several other little-known places. Get ready for an epic adventure!
Click here for the customizable Google Map for the trip.
Tucked away in the Painted Desert just 30 miles northeast of Flagstaff, Grand Falls is a 185-foot-tall natural wonder on the Navajo Nation. The waterfall cascades down into the Little Colorado River, and the best viewing opportunities are after heavy rains or in early spring when the snow is beginning to melt. Visitors can access Grand Falls via an easy, half-mile-long hiking trail - but the road to get there is far less benign. It's very rough, and at times, a high-clearance vehicle is required. Learn more here.
Grand Falls, Arizona, Arizona 86035, USA
Also on the Navajo Nation (and also not far from Flagstaff) are the Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks. Located along a secluded stretch of Highway 160, this tourist attraction takes you up close and personal with the prehistoric beasts that roamed the earth long ago. Well-preserved, 200-million-year-old dinosaur footprints and remains are spread out over a large area, and a Navajo guide will show you the most interesting spots while detailing the history of the tracks. Please note: there is no admission fee, but you will need to tip your guide. Learn more here.
Tuba City, AZ 86045, USA
If you thought this was Antelope Canyon at first glance, you wouldn't be alone. Secret Canyon, a small slot canyon near Horseshoe Bend, is almost identical to its world-famous counterpart... minus the endless queue of people waiting to get inside. Horseshoe Bend Tours offers exclusive access to this little-known canyon, with the added bonus of a private viewpoint overlooking Horseshoe Bend. A maximum of 15 people are allowed in the canyon at a time, so it's a much more intimate experience. Learn more here.
Secret Canyon, Page, AZ 86040, USA
The last half of our trip is centered around the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, which sees only a tenth of the park's six million annual visitors. First up is Redwall Cavern, a massive sand cave hidden at the base of the canyon. A natural amphitheater located at River Mile 33 on the Colorado River, the cavern can hold several thousand people. You'll also see ancient marine fossils embedded in the walls! Redwall Cavern is only accessible via a river rafting trip - click here for a list of outfitters.
Redwall Cavern, North Rim, AZ 86052, USA
Next on the list is Ribbon Falls, a 140-foot-tall cascade nestled deep within the Grand Canyon. It's the only waterfall in the canyon that can be reached without backpacking or rafting! The water from the falls travels down a giant, moss-covered boulder before collecting in two small pools. If it's warm enough outside, you can go for a swim to cool off! You can access the falls from the North Kaibab Trail, but it's a tough hike. We recommend starting at Bright Angel Campground - doing so cuts the hike time in half from 12 miles to six. Learn more here.
Ribbon Falls, Arizona 86052, USA
Last - but certainly not least - we'll spend some time exploring the North Rim itself. Between a scenic drive, a short and sweet hike to a breathtaking lookout point, the iconic Grand Canyon Lodge, and a campground, there's so much to see and do here. Please note: the North Rim is closed from December 1 until May 15 each year, with only the North Rim campground remaining open. Learn more here.
North Rim, AZ 86052, USA
Would you take this road trip to the best hidden gems in Arizona? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! For more of the best hidden gems in Arizona, check out our previous article.
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Exploring Arizona
November 15, 2022
What are some of the top-rated natural attractions in Arizona?
These are some of the top-rated attractions in Arizona:
- Monument Valley. This area is the quintessential picturesque Old West landscape seen in many Western movies and the Wile E. Coyote cartoons.
- Canyon De Chelly National Monument. Ancient Native American cliff dwellings are set in the canyon walls that reach up to 1,000 feet high. They were constructed nearly 1,000 years ago.
- Havasu Falls. Located on the Havasupai Reservation, these 100-foot-tall waterfalls with bright turquoise waters are among the top-rated waterfalls in America.
Here are several more of the top-rated natural attractions in Arizona.
What are the best towns to visit in Arizona?
The best towns to visit in Arizona include:
- Sedona. Known for its stunning red rock formations, this town has many attractions like Oak Creek Canyon and Slide Rock and is known for its natural beauty.
- Tucson. As the first American city to be recognized as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Tucson has a lot of character and is famed for the Saguaro National Park.
- Jerome. This tiny town has become an enclave for artists and musicians in recent years and was once an old mining town and then a ghost town before it became revitalized.
Take a look at this list of some of the other best towns to visit in Arizona.
What are the best Old West attractions in Arizona?
These are some of the best Old West attractions in Arizona:
- O.K. Corral. As the site of perhaps the most famous shootout in the Old West, this iconic location is where Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday had a 30-second shootout with outlaws.
- Boothill Cemetery. Some who died in the O.K. Corral shootout are buried here and the tombstones here have unique and sometimes whimsical epitaphs.
- Oatman. Located on the famous Route 66, this ghost town was formed in 1915 as a boomtown due to a large gold deposit that was discovered here. It now houses several Old West attractions.
Find out more about these and several other Old West attractions in Arizona.
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